Air control for immersion apparatus



Dec. 13, 1955 M. J. ZlNTY ET AL 2,726,642

AIR CONTROL FOR IMMERSION APPARATUS Filed Sept. 30, 1954 4 Sheets-Sheet 1 v r I 7/)? V /6 27' l i INVENTORS MflRCEL :J- Z/NTV HENRY 4 POW/9N 2/ BYP/l/Z /P e. axles: MIA/N Dec. 13, 1955 Filed Sept. 50, 1954 M. J. ZlNTY ETAL AIR CONTROL FOR IMMERSION APPARATUS 4 Sheets-Sheet 2 INVENTORS M/QRCEL l/a Z/NT'Y HENRY 14. POM/4N BY P/l/L/P E. snsaumw 1955 M. J. ZINTY ETAL 2,

AIR CONTROL FOR IMMERSION APPARATUS Filed Sept. 30, 1954 4 Sheets-Sheet 5 Tic .7.

ATTORN EYS Dec. 13, 1955 M. J. ZINTY ET AL 2,726,642

AIR CONTROL FOR IMMERSION APPARATUS Filed Sept. 30, 1954 4 Sheets-Sheet 4 T 'iz INVENTORS M/FRCEL U- Z IN TY yew/9v /7- 790 wmv BY PHIL/P 606.52 MANN I gATToRNEYs United States Patent AIR CONTROL FOR IMMERSION APPARATUS Marcel J. Zinty, New York, N. Y., and Henry A. Rowan, Watchung, and Philip E. Gabelmann, Union, N. J., assignors to Maguus Chemical Company, Inc., Garwood, N. J., a corporation of New York Application September 30, 1954, Serial No. 459,453

18 Claims. (Cl. 121-150) This invention relates to machines such as are used in industry for a variety of purposes such as cleansing machined parts, castings and various types and kinds of metallic elements (to rid them of greases, oils, chips, filings or other foreign matter) and also pickling, bonderizing, phosphating or the like. More particularly, the invention is concerned with that type of industrial machine in which the elements to be washed or otherwise treated are supported in a tank and reciprocated vertically within a bath of suitable liquid.

A simple but eifective way of pulsating the tray, basket or the like, which holds the elements to be washed, or otherwise treated, is by means of compressed air and it is the object of the present invention to provide improved control means to effect economy in the. amount of air utilized and also greater flexibility in the use of the apparatus.

The invention will be readily understood from the accompanying drawings, in which:

Fig. l is a diagrammatic view (not to scale) of one form of apparatus according to the invention;

Figs. 2 and 3 are views showing the valves of Fig. 1 in different operating positions;

Fig. 4 is a view similar to Fig. 1 but showing a different form of relay valve;

Figs. 5 and 6 are views showing the valves of Fig. 4 in different operating positions; and

Figs. 7, 8 and 9 are diagrams similar to Figs. 1 and 4 but showing three modified applications of the invention.

The apparatus per se is well known and hence not illustrated. For present purposes, it can be assumed to consist of a basket suspended in a liquid medium in asuitable tank, the basket suspension, of whatever form, being coupled to the upper end of rod 1 of operating piston 2 adapted to be pulsated or otherwise moved within a vertically disposed air cylinder 3. The cylinder is provided adjacent its lower end with a lower port 4 and, at an appropriate higher point in its wall, with an upper port 5.

According to the present invention, economy of air is.

achieved by the use of a relay valve interposed between the cylinder 3 and the source of compressed air (represented by the arrow A in all forms).

Referring to Fig. 1, the relay valve comprises a housing 6 for a valve 7 referred to herein as a spool valve, meaning a valve having a head at each end and an intervening restricted neck portion.

The housing has an intermediate discharge port 10 connected by line 11 with lower cylinder port 4. The relay valve housing has an intermediate supply port 12 connected by line 13 to the air source A under control of valve 14 and also has an intermediate exhaust port 15 connected to atmosphere. A spring 16 normally raises the spool valve to its upper position (Fig. 1) in which the air supply line 13, through the intermediate portion of the valve housing and line 11, is in communication with the lower cylinder port 4 and exhaust port 15 is.

closed. Lastly, the housing 6 has an end port 17 at its upper end and an end port 18 at its lower end, port 17 being connected by line 19 with the upper cylinder port 5. The lower end port 18 is connected by line 20 with a three-way valve 21 which in one position (Fig. 1) serves to vent the adjacent end of housing 6 to atmosphere and in another position (Fig. 3) serves to connect that end of housing 6, through line 22, with the compressed air supply.

With valve 14 open and the relay and three-way valves in their Fig. 1 positions, the admission of air to the cylinder 3 by way of port 4 causes the piston 2 to rise. Its upward movement continues until it uncovers upper cylinder port 5. Thereupon, the compressed air passes through port 5, line 19 and port 17 and, acting on the upper end of the spool valve, causes it to move down to its Fig. 2 position, thereby closing inlet port 12 and opening exhaust port 15. The intermediate portion of the housing 6 and hence line 11 are thereby vented to atmos phere and the piston starts to descend. After it has passed port 5, the latter, line 19 and the end space above the spool valve are vented to atmosphere (by way of the cylinder itself) and spring 16 thereupon restores the spool valve to its upper (Fig. 1) position. Air is again admitted to cylinder 3 through port 4 and the above described cycle is repeated over and over, the basket or the like to which piston rod 1 is connected being moved up and down to efiect the washing or other action.

Due to the momentum of the piston and its associated load, the piston moves somewhat beyond port 5 on both its upward and its downward strokes, pulsating between positions such as 25 and 26 indicated in broken lines in Fig. 1. As will be understood, port 5 is located at such a height in relation to the dipping apparatus as is appropri ate for the particular treatment. It may, for example, be selected as an approximate median point of a stroke such that the articles are immersed at all times or it may be at such a height that the articles are raised out of and wardly moving piston uncovers port 5, the spoolvalveis not now moved downwardly as described above because,

while its upper end is subjected to the supply air pressure, its lower end is subjected to that self-same pressure plus the action of the spring 16. The spool valve, therefore, remains in its Fig. 3 position and the piston continues its upward movement in the cylinder. A stop 27 may be provided for arresting this movement at any desired position 28; for example, at a height such that the basket or the like is lifted well clear of the washing medium.

To lower the piston, it is simply necessary to return the three-way valve to its Fig. 1 position, thereby venting the underside of the spool valve to atmosphere. Thereupon, the spool valve moves down (as in Fig. 2) and the lower part of the cylinder is vented by way of port 15 and the piston descends. After it has passed below port 5, the upper end of housing 6 is vented, the spool valve moves up to its Fig. 1 position and the pulsating cycle is resumed.

The modified arrangement of Fig. 4 will be recognized as quite similar to that of Fig. 1. In this instance, the location of the three-way valve is reversed in relation to the relay valve, being at the top instead of at the bottom. The port 48 at the lower end of the housing 36 of spool valve 37 is a vent to atmosphere. The port 47 at the upper end of housing 36 is connectedby line 52 to threeway valve 51 and that valve, by line 49, is connected to the upper cylinder port 35. The three intermediate ports 40, 42 and 45 are located and are controlled by the spool valve as previously described. In the other (Fig. 6) position of the three-way valve, the upper end of housing 36' is vented to atmosphere.

With valve 44 open and three-way valve 51 in its Fig. 4 position, compressed air from source A passes through line 43- and port 42 into the intermediate portion of valve housing 36 and thence through port 40, line 41 and port 34 into cylinder 33. Thereupon piston 32 rises, uncovers port 35' whereupon the cylinder air passes through port 35, line 49, three-way valve 51, line 52 and port 47 and moves spool valve 37 down to its Fig. position (the underside of the spool valve being vented to atmosphere by way of port 48). Port 42 is thereby closed, shutting off the air supply and port 45 is opened thereby venting a cylinder to atmosphere and permitting the piston to descend. After it has passed below port 35, lines 49 and 52, the upper end of the spool valve is vented whereupon spring 46 returns the spool valve to its upper (Fig. 4) position. As in the Fig. 1 form, the cycle is thereupon repeated, the piston pulsating between positions such as 55 and 56 below and above port 35.

As the three-way valve is turned to its Fig. 6 position, it will be seen that there is no escape for the cylinder air even after the upwardly moving piston has uncovered port and, accordingly, the piston continues its upward movement to position 58 where it engages stop 57. To lower the piston and bring about resumption of the pulsating cycle, it is merely necessary to restore the threeway valve to its Fig. 4 position. Thereupon, the pressure air in the cylinder is again permitted to act on the upper end of spool valve 37, move it down to its Fig. 5 position and thereby vent the cylinder to atmosphere.

It will be seen that as in the Fig. 1 form, the threeway valve alternatively vents one end of the spool valve housing to atmosphere or permits the passage of pressure air to that same end of the housing. In Fig. 1, such end of the housing is the lower end and, in Fig. 4, it is the upper end.

In each of the forms of the invention illustrated in Figs. 7-, 8 and 9, provision likewise is made for pulsating the piston above and below an upper cylinder port or alternatively causing it to rise until it engages a suitably located stop. In addition, however, in each of these forms, provision is made whereby the piston can be caused to reciprocate in one or more different paths as may be desired in the particular installation. In all three of these forms, the relay valve can be assumed to be of the type described above in connection with Figs. 4 to 6, that is, with the three-way valve mounted above rather than below it although, as will be apparent, this type of relay valve is by no means essential.

Referring first to the Fig. 7 arrangement, cylinder 63 which houses piston 62 is provided with a lower port 64 and an upper or intermediate port 65. Instead of the latter being connected directly to the three-way valve by a single open line, as above described, port 65 communicates with parallel lines 83, 85 (each sometimes referred to as an intermediate line) the former being controlled by a check valve 84 opening toward cylinder 63 and line 85 being controlled by a shut off valve 86. Also, a third port 87 is provided at a point higher up the cylinder which port is in communication with line 88 (sometimes referred to as the third line) controlled by a second check valve 89 opening away from the cylinder. Lines 83, 85 and 88 all communicate with line 79 (the relay valve operating line) which is connected to three-way valve 81.

It will be recognized that when shut off valve 86' is open and the three-way and relay valves are in their Fig. 7 positions, the operation will be exactly the same as that described above in connection with Fig. 4. This results from the fact that line 85 is then open and functions just like line 49 of theFig. 4 arrangement, pressure air entering this line from the cylinder being unable to escape. by way of line 88 because of check valve 89.

When, on the other hand, shut off valve 86 is closed, the piston partakes of a different stroke. Air under pressure from source A passes through line 73 and port 72 into the intermediate portion of housing 66 and thence by way of port 70, line 71 (sometimes referred to as the first line) and port 64 into the cylinder 63. The piston rises as before but even when it uncovers port 65, there is no escape for the pressure air because of the resulting closing of check valve 84. Accordingly, the piston continues to rise to the neighborhood of position 90. The pressure air in cylinder 63 then passes through port 87, line 88, check valve 89 and relay valve operating line 79 to the three-way valve and by way of line 82 and port 77 to the upper end of relay valve housing 66. Check valve 84 remains closed because it is subjected to the same pressure on both sides. The action of the pressure air on the upper end of spool valve 67 causes it to move down (as in Fig. 5) and the portion of cylinder 63 below the piston is thereupon vented to atmosphere and the piston descends. The descent of the piston is not affected by its passing to a point below port 87 because with line 79 under pressure, check valve 89 immediately closes. Accordingly, the piston continues to descend until after it has uncovered port 65, at which time, check valve 84 opens and thereby vents line 79 and the upper end of the relay valve housing permitting spring 76 to restore the spool valve to its upper position.

It will thus be seen that when shut off valve 86 is open, the piston pulsates above and below port 65 just as in the Fig. 4 arrangement but when shut off valve 86 is closed, the piston partakes of a long stroke between a point below port 65 and a point such as above port 87. As in the forms already described, the piston can be caused to rise to a still higher position 91 as determined by stop 92 by simply turning the three-way valve to its other (Fig. 6) position. The effect, of course, is to close off line 79 and prevent the escape of pressure air by way of either of ports 65 and 87.

The modification illustrated in Fig. 8 is in all respects like that illustrated in Fig. 7 except for the provision of a by-pass line 93 controlled by a shut olf valve 94 in parallel with line 88 and its check valve 89. As will be noted, primed characters are applied to all parts corresponding to those of Fig. 7.

With shut 01f valve 94 closed, it will be apparent that the piston can be manipulated just as in the Fig. 7 form, partaking of a short stroke above and below port 65' or a long stroke from a point below that port to a point 90 above port 87' or being caused to move all the way up to position 91' to engage with stop 92'.

By opening shut off valve 94 still another piston motion is introduced. Assuming shut off valve 86' to be closed, the piston will rise to point 90' and uncover port 87'. As before, the spool valve will thereupon be moved to its lower position to vent the portion of cylinder 63' below the piston and the piston will start down. However, after it has passed below port 87', the spool valve will no longer be maintained in its lower position because the high pressure in line 79' is no longer trapped by the closure of'check valve 89. Instead, the pressure air in line 79 is now vented through line 93 and port 87 permitting the spool valve to be moved up again by its spring and pressure air again to be admitted beneath the piston. In the result, the piston now pulsates through a relatively short stroke above and below port 87'. As will be recog nized, port 87' can be located at a height such that the basket is raised out of the liquid medium, the pulsation of the basket at that elevation being appropriate to shake off. much of. the liquid medium.

Referring now to Fig. 9, the arrangement again is like that of Fig. 7 with certain additions and primed characters are applied to all of the corresponding parts. The

additions comprise one or more additional or intermediate ports, such as 95, and intermediate lines such as 97, each controlled by a check valve, such as 98, and a shut off valve, such as 99, these two valves being arranged in series and the check valve opening away from cylinder 63'. In this instance, a second additional port 96, line 100, check valve 101 and shut ofi? valve 102 are illustrated.

It will be apparent that if the added shut ofi valves (such as 99 and 102) are closed, the operation will be precisely like that described above in connection with Fig. 7. If, however, one of these added shut olf valves is opened, the cylinder port which it controls will function just like port 87 of Fig. 7 arrangement; that is, it will determine the limit of the upward movement of the piston. I

For example, if shut off valve 86' is closed and shut oil valve 99 is open, the piston will rise to a point above port 95 and the pressure air in the cylinder will then pass to the three-way and relay valve, the latter will move down to vent the lower end of cylinder 63' and the piston will start down. As in the Fig. 7 arrangement, the pressure air in line 79' will be trapped by the closure of check valves 98, 101 and 89' and the spool valve will remain in its lower or venting position until the piston has moved down to uncover port 65', at which time, the pressure air in line 79 and above the spool valve is vented by the opening of check valve 84. With the described setting of the valves, therefore, the piston stroke is between a point below port 65 and a point above port 95.

Similarly, if shut off valves 86' and 99 are closed and valve 102 is opened, the stroke of the piston will be between a point below port 65 and a point above port 96.

It will thus be apparent that the invention is susceptible of embodiment in numerous forms to suit the needs of a great variety of installations; that the height at which the piston is pulsated and the length of the piston stroke can readily be varied and, in all forms, with great economy of air. In the latter connection, it will be seen that pressure air is applied only during a limited portion of the upward motion only, the balance of the upward stroke being accomplished by the momentum effect. On the downward stroke, the loaded piston returns by gravity and the air trapped at the lower end of the cylinder functions as an air spring to arrest and reverse the piston motion. As will also be apparent, the air needs of the control are self-adjusting to the particular load and the only air wasted is what is vented from lines which are otherwise closed or shut oil? from communication with the pressure source. Furthermore, the described systems are readily adaptable to the needs of the particular treatment in that the piston can be operated at high speeds through a short stroke or at lower speeds through a longer stroke.

In the light of the foregoing description of these several embodiments exemplifying the principles of the invention, the following is claimed:

1. In an industrial immersion machine incorporating a vertically disposed cylinder and an operating piston therein, the said cylinder having a lower port and an upper port and a source of compressed air, the improvement which comprises: a housing and a spool valve therein, the housing having an intermediate supply port and an intermediate exhaust port, said spool valve in one position opening the supply port to admit air to the intermediate portion of the housing from said air sourceand to close the exhaust port and in its other position to close the supply port and open the exhaust port; said housing having an intermediate discharge port adapted to connect the intermediate portion of the housing with the said lower cylinder port in both positions of the spool valve; said housing having an end port normally in communication with the said upper cylinder port; and a three-way valve adapted in one position to vent one end of the spool valve to atmosphere and in another position to admit air from said source to said one end of the spool valve.

2. In an industrial immersion machine incorporating a vertically disposed cylinder and an operating piston therein, the said cylinder having a lower port and an upper port and a source of compressed air, the improvement which comprises: a housing and a spool valve therein, the housing having an intermediate-discharge port connected with the said lower cylinder port, an intermediate supply port and an intermediate exhaust port; a spring normally biasing the spool valve to open the supply port and admit air from said source and to close the exhaust port; said housing having an end port normally in communication with the said upper cylinder port; and a three-way valve adapted in one position to vent one end of the spool valve to atmosphere and in another position to admit air from said source to said one end of the spool valve.

3. In an industrial immersion machine incorporating a vertically disposed cylinder and an operating piston therein, the said cylinder having a lower port and an upper port and a source of compressed air, the improvement which comprises: a housing and a spool valve therein, the housing having an intermediate supply port and an intermediate exhaust port, said spool valve in one position opening the supply port to admit air to the intermediate portion of the housing from said air source and to close the exhaust port and in its other position to close the supply port and open the exhaust port; said housing having an intermediate discharge port adapted to connect the intermediate portion of the housing with the said lower cylinder port in both positions of the spool valve; said housing having an end port normally in communication with the said upper cylinder port; a threeway valve adapted in one position to vent one end of the spool valve to atmosphere and in another position to admit air from said source to said one end of the spool valve; and stop means located above the said upper cylinder port for arresting the upward movement of the piston.

4. In an industrial immersion machine incorporating a vertically disposed cylinder and an operating piston therein, the said cylinder having a lower port and an upper port and a source of compressed air, the improvement which comprises: a housing and a spool valve therein, the housing having an intermediate discharge port connected with the said lower cylinder port, an inter mediate supply port and an intermediate exhaust port; a spring normally biasing the spool valve to open the supply port and admit air from said source and to close the exhaust port; said housing having an end port normally in communication with the said upper cylinder port; a three-way valve adapted in one position to vent one end of the spool valve to atmosphere and in another position to admit air from said source to said one end of the spool valve; and stop means located above the said upper cylinder port for arresting the upward movement of the piston.

5. In an industrial immersion machine incorporating a vertically disposed cylinder and an operating piston therein, the said cylinder having a lower port and an upper port and a source of compressed air, the improvement which comprises: a housing and a spool valve therein, the housing having an intermediate supply port and an intermediate exhaust port, said spool valve in one position opening the supply port to admit air to the intermediate portion of the housing from said air source and to close the exhaust port and in its other position to close the supply port and open the exhaust port; said housing having an intermediate discharge port adapted to connect the intermediate portion of the housing with the said lower cylinder port in both positions of the spool valve; said housing having an end port in communication with said upper cylinder port; a spring biasing the spool valve toward said end port into its first-mentioned position; said housing: having an opposite end port normally vented to atmosphere; and a three-way valve for alternatively connecting said opposite end port to the air source.

6. In an industrial immersion machine incorporating a vertically disposed cylinder and an operating piston therein, the said cylinder having a lower port and an upper port and a source of compressed air, the improvement which comprises: a housing and a spool valve therein, the housing having an intermediate supply port and an intermediate exhaust port, said spool valve in one position opening the supply port to admit air to the intermediate portion of the housing from said air source and to close the exhaust port and in its other position to close the supply port and open the exhaust port; said housing having an intermediate discharge port adapted to connect the intermediate portion of the housing with the said lower cylinder port in both positions of the spool valve; said housing having an end port in communication with said upper cylinder port; a spring biasing the spool valve toward said end port into its first-mentioned position; said housing having an opposite end port normally vented to atmosphere; a three-way valve for alternatively connecting said opposite end port to the air source; and stop means located above said upper cylinder port for arresting the upward movement of the piston.

7. in an industrial immersion machine incorporating a vertically disposed cylinder and an operating piston therein, the said cylinder having a lower port and an upper port and a source of compressed air, the improvement which comprises: a housing and a spool valve therein, the housing having an intermediate supply port and an intermediate exhaust port, said spool valve in one position opening the supply port to admit air to the intermediate portion of the housing rom said air source and to close the exhaust port and in its other position to close the supply port and open the exhaust port; said housing having an intermediate discharge port adapted to connect the intermediate portion of the housing with the said lower cylinder port in both positions of the spool valve; said housing having a lower end port vented to atmosphere and an upper end port; a three-way valve in one position connecting the said upper end port to the upper cylinder port and in another position venting the said upper end port to atmosphere; and a spring biasing the spool valve toward said upper end port.

8. In an industrial immersion machine incorporating a vertically disposed cylinder and an operating piston therein, the said cylinder having a lower port and an upper port and a source of compressed air, the improvement diate portion of the housing from said air source and to close the exhaust port and in its other position to close the supply port and open the exhaust port; said housing having an intermediate discharge port adapted to connect the intermediate portion of the housing with the said lower cylinder port in both positions of the spool valve; said housing having a lower end port vented to atmosphere and an upper end port; a three-way valve in one position connecting the said upper end port to the upper cylinder port and in another position venting the said upper end port to atmosphere; a spring biasing the spool valve toward said upper end port; and stop means located above said upper cylinder port for arresting the upward movement of the piston.

9. The combination of a cylinder; a piston therein, the cylinder having a lower port, an upper port and a third port above the upper port; a first air line connected to the lower port; parallel air lines connected to the upper port; a shut-otf valve in one of said parallel lines and, in the other, a check valve opening toward the said upper port; a third air line connected to'the said third port and incorporating a check valve opening away from such port; and a relay valve for alternately admitting compressed air to and venting it from said first air line, said relay valve having an operating air line connecting it with each of said parallel lines and said third line.

10; The combination of a cylinder; a piston therein; the cylinder having a lower port, an upper port and a third port above the upper port; a first air line connected to the lower port; parallel air lines connected to the upper port; a shut-oh? valve in one of said parallel lines and, in the other, a check valve opening toward the said upper port; a third air line connected to the said third port and incorporating a check valve opening away from such port; a housing and a spool valve therein; said housing having an intermediate supply port and an intermediate exhaust port, said spool valve in one position opening the supply port to admit air under pressure to the intermediate portion of the housing and to close the exhaust port and in its other position to close the supply port and open the exhaust port; said housing having an intermediate discharge port adapted to connect the said intermediate portion of the housing with said first air line, said housing having one end port vented to atmosphere and an opposite end port; and an operating air line connecting said opposite end port to each of said parallel lines and said third line.

ll. The combination of claim 9 including a by-pass line and a shut-oil valve therein arranged in parallel with said third line check valve.

12. The combination of claim 10 including a by-pass line and a shut-off valve therein arranged in parallel with said third line check valve.

13. The combination of claim 9 including an intermediate port between the said lower and upper cylinder ports; an intermediate air line connected to the intermediate port and, in series in such intermediate air line, a shut-off valve and a check valve opening away from the intermediate port.

14. The combination of claim 10 including an intermediate port between the said lower and upper cylinder ports; an intermediate air line connected to the intermediate port and, in series in such intermediate air line, a shut-off valve and a check valve opening away from the intermediate port.

15. The combination of a cylinder; a piston therein, the cylinder having a lower port, an upper port and a third port above the upper port; a first air line connected to the lower port; an upper air line connected to said upper port and a shut-01f valve in said upper line; a third air line connected to said third port and a shut-off valve in said third line; and a relay valve for alternately admitting compressed air to and venting it from said first air line, said relay valve having an operating air line connecting it with each of said upper and third air lines.

16. The combination of a cylinder; a piston therein, the cylinder having a lower port, an upper port and a third port above the upper port; a first air line connected to the lower port; an upper air line connected to said upper port and a shut-off valve in said upper line; a third air line connected to said third port and a shut-off valve in said third line; a housing and a spool valve'therein; said housing having an intermediate supply port and an intermediate exhaust port, said spool valve in one position opening the supply port to admit air under pressure to the intermediate portion of the housing and to close the exhaust port and in its other position to close the supply port and open the exhaust port; said housing having an intermediate discharge port adapted to connect the said intermediate portion of the housing with said first air line; said housing having one end port vented to atmosphere and an opposite end port; and an operating air line connecting said opposite end port to each of said upper and third air lines.

17. The combination of claim 15 including a valve in said operating air line adapted in one position to permit the flow of air through said operating air line and in another position to block such flow; and a stop located to arrest the upward movement of the piston above said third cylinder port.

18. The combination of claim 16 including a valve in said operating air line adapted in one position to permit the flow of air through said operating air line and in another position to block such flow; and a stop located to arrest the upward movement of the piston above said third cylinder port.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS 

